BDF Bans Alcohol Following Crique Sarco Murder  

Earlier this month, Belize Defence Force soldier, Private Clive Baizar was killed  at the Crique Sarco Conservation Post in Toledo after an altercation with fellow soldier, thirty-year-old Alfredo Robinson Junior. Following the incident, which left soldier Brandon Guzman injured, Robinson was formally charged with murder. According to reports, after the two men engaged in a verbal argument, Robinson retrieved a rifle and fired it at Baizar, fatally wounding him. Some speculate that alcohol may have been involved in the incident, however, Robinson refused to provide a blood sample. This week, the force has moved to ban alcohol within the camps completely. B.D.F Commandant, Brigadier General Azariel Loria, told us that there are several factors that led to this decision.

 

Brigadier General Azariel Loria, Commandant, B.D.F

 ”At this point in time, we have not gotten the results of the blood tests. The results as yet. However, we deem that it is important for us to curtail on the alcohol habits of the force.It is not a dire  situation as yet. However, we have to implement some measures. And it is not only because of that incident, perhaps that incident there was no alcohol consumption. But as a matter of fact, what we are doing we are doing it because there have been quite a few fatal traffic accidents that involved alcohol. And the latest one is the one down in the south where we lost one of our soldiers when he was riding back home with his motorcycle. So those are the specific reasons why We are curtailing on alcohol and we’re trying to make it a zero tolerance directive.”

 

Britney Gordon

“And it’s confirmed that, if the alcohol is discovered, it will be an immediate dismissal of the officer.”

 

Brigadier General Azariel Loria

“That is the direction that we have provided.  Under the Defense Act, the commander of the Belize Defence Force can make regulations to ensure that the force function.  steadily. That the force functions in a manner that we can secure ourselves, ensure our safety first and foremost.”